Disorder & Chaos

You know how you feel when you've had a good sort out at home or in the office and everything has a home and all looks nice and welcoming? Well, this is my chaos at the moment in my office/studio....


World War III, in Devon! Although, I hate to admit it, but it has been worse. No wonder my mind is in such a mish mash with a real lack of inspiration or true creativity. I daren't show you the picture of the doorway, as it has all the washing hanging on airers to dry - oh, okay, here goes... Well, actually, Blogger is so blown away by the mess that it won't allow me to put up another image!!

Plan for the weekend: sort out the studio and bring some calm to the whirling in my mind (or at least attempt to) ... working towards my hopes for the year.

How is your head and the resulting chaos or calm?

New Start :: 2009

Well, the start of a new year brings with it many new ideas, hopes and thoughts.

Being inspired by Project365, where a photo is taken every day and posted online (either Flickr or a blog), I didn't want to be tied down by this and will take the concept and rework it into something that suits me. Perhaps that should be my aim for the coming year: don't try and change myself to fit into other people's expectations but allow me to come to terms with my own character and let it shine.

I plan to use my blog far more this coming year, not by giving myself the challenge of daily blogging, but you never know how it will turn out!

My hopes for the coming year...

... develop my writing outlets and have more work published in magazines...
... enjoy my many skills: cooking, sewing, knitting, painting, languages, animals...
... see our project in France develop into something resembling something more than a barn...
... try to maintain (and better) my health, both physical and mental, and not wallow in self pity that I haven't achieved unachievable goals (have you spotted that none of these are stated as resolutions for 2009?)...

Let's see how these outlines shape themselves in the coming months.


First finished project for 2009: Winter Cottage Mittens, my very first pair, from a kit purchased from Posh Yarn, hand-dyed scrummy yarn and pattern developed by the lovely Dee from Posh. The pics are of the just finished mittens, not blocked so a little lumpy until I pull them off my hands to wash and block them!

I love mittens. I recall a bright red pair, with a cable down the front and a crocheted string to hold them in lace attached to my coat, from my childhood. I loved them and, in a recent conversation with Mamo, found that I was very young when I had these (knitted by her fair hand) so they must have struck a cord to stick in my memory like this.

I feel these won't be my last mittens this year - any pattern suggestions?

Waiting (impatiently)

I absolutely adore books. I think I may have mentioned that before?

To have a book full of information is pure knowledge and with knowledge comes a feeling of empowerment. I hesitate to say a feeling of power because that sounds a tad megalomaniacal! I have always had the feeling that if I have the book, then I know how to do whatever it is the book is about - sometimes without even reading it, which is a bit daft... but the mind is a strange thing.

I glance at my bokshelves - which are a bit thinned out from our previous move as I had waaaay too many (much to the despair of himself) - and I get a feeling of joy to see such a varietey of subjects: complementary health (human and animal), jewellery making, quilting, calligraphy, knitting and crochet, marketing, Greek art, cookery, the list goes on...

I ordered a book online a couple of days ago which I am hoping will arrive today, by an author based in the States but with the most gorgeous rhythmic Icelandic name: Lotta Jansdotter. I love her work with textiles, very scandinavian (of course) and inspirational - taking me away from the cutesy Cath Kidston style popular for so long. It's a book on printing. I enjoyed printmaking and fabric printing during my years in school where I focused on all things art and it is something I would love to get involved with again.

But maybe not right now, with so many other things happening?!

Here's a pic of something which reminded me of Lotta's work, a silk cushion from Rockett St George with the most delightful printed motif - what do you think?

Enough to make you want to crochet...

Aren't these absolutely beautiful? Pics taken at the Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey recently and appeared on the Selvedge stand (boy, I love that magazine - textiles galore!).

These stunning pieces are created by French designer, Sophie Digard, and sell for quite high prices - although the work that goes into them, with the yarn being hand dyed and crochet up with an extremely thin ply, you can understand why. I have seen them for sale in Honfleur in Normandy and loved them at first sight - I would love to own one of these... but more so, I would love to try and crochet one myself!  Perhaps one day...

Time Flies!

Gosh, I didn't realise how long it has been since I last updated my blog! So, a quick post with some pics from the recent Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey.

I had time to attend on the first day, the Friday, in the afternoon and was lucky to be part of a workshop held by the fabulous Alison Willoughby of the fantastic skirts fame. Alison was fab - so quirky and outgoing, I really enjoyed a couple of hours as part of a group of 6 lucky peeps. The workshop made me feel like a 5 year old given freedom with a sewing machine! Great fun to have this freedom - it's not something we as adults often are able to do so, if given the opportunity, grasp it with both hands... enthusiastically!

Here are a few pics from the day, finishing off with my creation, modelled by Alison...




this one isn't mine (above) but an Alison W creation, showing the detailed rosette motif she uses.

More pics from the fair another day...

Not Bleached Bones At All

These stunning works of art do at times remind me of bleached bones - but I push myself over that thought as they somehow draw me in. Perhaps it's because of their 'organic-ness' and fluidity that creates some sort of resonance within me.




I collect driftwood of all sizes whenever we go walking on the beach, but seeing these takes the use of my finds to a different level. Absolutely stunning. They are created by a talented designer-maker called Karen Miller who trades under Devon Driftwood Designs and can be found here.

Another extremely inspirational artist is Heather Jansch, based in mid-Devon (I can't wait for her open studio dates as I will be there like a shot). Her sculptures/statues are amazing. What would you call them? Stunning, nothing less.

Soft Suffolk

With a view to develop the creativity element of my non-new year decisions, I’m developing a little line of textile based items perhaps to sell on-line or through local boutiques, of which we have many here in the south west. I used to make Shaker inspired angels which I sold through word of mouth and through a lovely little gallery in Chipping Camden, but that was many eons ago so it seems a tad daunting.

Anyhow, the picture is of a couple of simple corsages being made from felt which are my starting point for this element of creativity.

At work, I’m searching for words to describe a new tile range we’re launching called Artisan and this has led me onto investigating the small towns of Suffolk in more detail due to the names chosen for the colours – the designer comes from Suffolk and loves the soft clear tones used by artists and artisans in the area. I want to find out more about these artists and the use they made of the soft light in this area, and area unknown to me as, when not in London, we spent time in the west country (apart from a holiday at a very young age in The Wash in the north of East Anglia).

It’s funny how one string of thought takes you down a totally unexpected route – but that’s what creativity is all about!

Resolutions

I made none!

Over many, many years I continually make resolutions (some not for New Year, but hey, why should that stop me?) and generally don't stick to them (hence still needing to lose weight many years on.... So this year, I decided to not make any resolutions. Inspired by Brenda's comments on this subject in her podcast I know I am not alone - her suggestion is not to make resolutions, but decisions and actions. Very sensible.

So, my decisions:

1. health
2. happiness
3. creativity
4. organisation

My actions:

1. joined the gym full-time (not been yet as I have a really stinking cold still)
2. now, this could be the difficult one as you can't force yourself to be happy - so still working on the actions for this one
3. have jotted lots of ideas in my notebook and will tackle some of them this weekend
4. in progress! The house is far more tidy now thanks to our chums visiting for new year forcing us not to be ashamed of the mess, but I still need to organise my clothes and the paperwork in the office.

I'll let you know how I get on with my non-resolutions.

What were yours?

Happy New Year...

... to you all! I have so many ideas whizzing around my head that you will see a hugely eclectic mix turn up here during the coming months.

From craft creativity to writing to house renovation to my own health and well-being, many strange thoughts will turn up to help me straighten out my little grey cells (you can tell Poirot is on TV this evening!).















The first picture of the year is of a large shallow bowl I made a few years ago, stoneware with a matt glaze - I was experimenting with these glazes for a while and I love the matt texture of the finished piece which is far from perfect I will be the first to admit. The bowl contains a few pieces of driftwood found locally at Branscombe and Budleigh Salterton - nature provides many things of beauty to show us simplicity is sometimes the key.

Here's to a healthy, happy and creative 2008!

The Golden Legend by Ruskin

The day is done; and slowly from the scene
The stooping sun up-gathers his spent shafts.
And puts them back into his golden quiver.


Isn't that so beautiful? Nothing more to add today...

A Tuscan Proverb

Egg of an hour
Bread of a day
Wine of a year
Friend of a lifetime




Such a beautiful sentiment for a gorgeous morning. When your surroundings are as stunning as this, how can you not be uplifted and joyful to face the day?

Anyone for tea?

Aren’t these glorious? So much fun, even though I rarely drink tea… I’m tempted to knit one. They are from a UK company called Re-Found Objects and can be found here. A great way to create the perfect colour scheme, with a touch of pizzazz in a cutesy sort of way. Am I going daft??

Another gorgeous cosy has been created by the inspirational Jane over at Yarnstorm – wonderful!



Perfect for sitting out on the lawn in the sunshine (of which we have much promised for this Easter weekend – yippee!) so kick back those shoes and chill out… have a lovely weekend everyone!

I Despair...

... at my own ineptitude at maintaining a logical sequence of musings - it has been a long three and a half months since my last post... forgive me father for I have sinned...But I'm back! I continually created posts whilst out walking Carter, experiencing the beautiful countryside which surrounds our home, but as soon as I return home, the musings aregone - like vapours on the wind.

However, I do despair at my lack of moral fibre to maintain a regular communication so I will turn over a new leaf (it IS New Year, isn't it?!?) and try again.

à bientôt...

Another Inspiration

Talking of being inspired, two of my bestest artists with fabric are the reason I need more space! Well, okay, that's not entirely true - my love of fabric far precedes their inspiration.




The first is Janet Bolton. An amazing artist with a naive yet sophisticated style I would love to emmulate even slightly. I can't wait until next June when I'm attending a two day workshop with my bestest chum in Cornwall with Janet at the helm. I keep jotting ideas and thoughts into my sketchbook for possible Boltonesque pieces but, until now, I've not had the wherewithall to even start (poor excuse, I am aware, but it IS one!).


The second in the lovely Linda Miller. Her creations are in thread and are so textured and scrumptious I want them all. I sat in on a masterclass Linda held at the craft fair in Bovey Tracey earlier this year - and she is a lovely lovely person too!
The subtelty of her creations is fantastic and they look so simple - but really truly they're not... I know, I've tried. Well, I didn't even manage to start stitching because my sewing machine (a fabulous Singer I spent ages finding) won't allow the feed dogs to drop, neither will the sewing foot raise high enough to slip in an embroidery ring.... I feel another sewing machine will need to be purchased... and how do I explain that one away when the current incumbent is perfectly fine for, well, sewing?!



And don't you just love it when your memory drags something up from the depths and you find a relevant link to take your thoughts even further? Here is the fabulous '>Jane and her Linda-Milleresque creations from a while ago.... my goodness, 2005! Oh well, this style has longevity!

Sooo Busy

And sooooo bad not have posted for so long. Lots has happened since my last post - and the most important has been we have moved! Our new abode is a beautiful Victorian lodge house set on a private estate, surrounded by countryside in East Devon. It also means I now have SPACE - space to create, space to do, space to think, space to store - space to be... ahh, lovely.


I have been inspired today by a wonderful artist called Annora Spence who creates naive and quirky pieces of work - I'm hoping to own some of her prints, but just looking at them inspires me.








My other inspiration of the moment (and has been for a year or more) is Sam Toft. Similar style, slightly less abstract and more illustrative in a strange descriptive way - I love the mini storylines attached to some of her pictures (even just a phrase becomes so evocative). I own a lovely collection of Sam's prints - and she also has inspired me to get creative and DO.

What do you think?